Calgary Flames Daily: Post-game win, in a tight race

The Calgary Flames have snuck back into a playoff spot (again), but they could be out of it by tonight. Let’s check out some news over the last day.

Well, it was an exciting win last night and a game that didn’t need extra time. After losing six straight, the Calgary Flames have won two in a row, both against the Chicago Blackhawks, and have won the season series. The Flames have finally beaten the Blackhawks in regulation for the first time since 2012 and have finally beaten them at the United Center in regulation for the first time since 2008. I guess 2017-18 is the year of breaking old habits, hey?

With that win last night, the Flames snuck their way back into the third Pacific Division spot. But it’s a tight race. They’re tied with the Anaheim Ducks with 62 points, but the Flames have two games on hand and have two more wins than them. The Flames are also ahead of the LA Kings by just one point, but the Kings have one game on hand. The Kings play the Edmonton Oilers tonight and I don’t think I’ve ever wished for an Oilers win so much in my life.

But as Bob Hartley said, “If you need to depend on other teams losing, you’re not a good hockey team.”

Related Story: Flames sweep season series vs. Blackhawks

Via Calgary Sun:

“It wasn’t the prettiest game that I’ve ever been a part of but we found a way to get two points and that’s huge for our team,” Smith said. “We’ll take it and move on. Obviously with the travel day we had (Monday), the energy wasn’t where it needed to be for a big game like this. But you have to grind through that and we found a way.”

The Flames improve to 14-5-5 on the road which continues to be one of the best road records in the NHL.

With the late goal that went to Michael Stone when it looked like Johnny Gaudreau tipped it, he almost beat his point total from last season. But he still tied it in 19 fewer games than he played last season and still 29 games left in the season. He now quietly climbed his way back to T-fourth in points with 61 and is just five points back from first place Nikita Kucherov‘s 66 points.

He could very well win that one award that I don’t want to say because I don’t want to jinx anything.

Flames Tweet of the day

Some links surrounding the Flames

Stone scores late as Flames top Blackhawks yet again (Sportsnet).

‘It wasn’t the prettiest game’: Flames top Blackhawks in tight tilt (Calgary Sun).

Flames Thoughts: Calgary scores rare regulation Windy City win (Sportsnet).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

One player on each NHL team that should be traded (FanSided).

Colin White scores 1st NHL goal as Senators topple Devils (CBC Sports).

3 things we learned in the NHL: Flower power returns to Pittsburgh (Sportsnet).

Next: Flames road trip couldn't come at a better time

That’s all in today’s Calgary Flames Daily!